Sheryl Sandberg warns of #metoo backlash

Sheryl Sandberg has warned against a #metoo backlash in a Facebook post on workplace sexual harassment.

The Facebook Chief Operating Officer has called on businesses to improve work place policies to ensure both victims and the accused are treated fairly.

The author of influential feminist opus Lean In said that while she has never been sexually harassed at work, she has been sexually harassed "in the course of doing my job."

Image: Facebook

"At 48 years old, I’m lucky that I’ve never been sexually harassed or assaulted by anyone I worked for," she wrote.

"The fact that this could be considered lucky is a problem in itself, but based on the numbers, I am lucky. I’ve only ever worked for men, and all of my bosses have been not just respectful, but deeply supportive.

"Still, like almost every woman – and some men – I know, I have experienced sexual harassment in the form of unwanted sexual advances in the course of doing my job. A hand on my leg under the table at a meeting. Married men – all decades older than I – offering “career advice” and then suggesting that they could share it with me alone late at night.

"The conference where a man I declined leaving a dinner with came to my hotel room late at night and banged on my door until I called security.

"I didn’t work for any of these men. But in every single one of these situations, they had more power than I did. That’s not a coincidence. It’s why they felt free to cross that line."

Sandberg said as she's risen through the ranks in her career, she's been sexually harassed less often, but they still happen, and she writes that now is "a critical moment for anyone who faces unwanted sexual advances at work".

"Sexual harassment has been tolerated for far too long in the halls of government and companies large and small. For the first time in my professional life, it feels like people are finally prepared to hold perpetrators responsible.

"I’m cheering – both as my current self and as that younger self who jumped up to bolt the lock on a hotel room door."

Still, she says cheering is not enough.

The Facebook COO and Lean In author says it is "a watershed moment" in workplaces. Image: AAP

"And while this is no doubt a watershed moment in empowering victims to speak up, sharing stories – which takes immense courage by itself – is also not enough. We need systemic, lasting changes that deter bad behavior and protect everyone, from professionals climbing the corporate ladder to workers in low-paid positions who often have little power. We need to end the abuse of power imbalances due to gender – and race and ethnicity, too. We must not lose this opportunity.

Too many workplaces lack clear policies about how to handle accusations of sexual harassment. There’s no question that this can be complicated and challenging to address. Some investigations come down to one person’s word against another’s.

"There are consensual workplace relationships that make others uncomfortable or turn ugly, or harassment that doesn’t involve sex but does involve sexism."

Sandberg says every workplace should start with "clear principles" and then "institute policies to support them".

"First, develop workplace training that sets the standard for respectful behavior at work, so people understand right from the start what’s expected of them.

"Second, treat all claims – and the people who voice them – with seriousness, urgency, and respect.

"Third, create an investigation process that protects employees from stigma or retaliation.

"Fourth, follow a process that is fairly and consistently applied in every case, both for victims and those accused.

"Fifth, take swift and decisive action when wrongdoing has occurred.

In this episode of Life Bites, journalist Emmy Kubainski and psychologist Kirstin Bouse talk about workplace sexual harassment:

"And sixth, make it clear that all employees have a role to play in keeping workplaces safe – and that enablers and failed gatekeepers are complicit when they stay silent or look the other way."

The COO and author says she hopes as more employers put "thoughtful, effective policies into place" and "more is done to punish the perpetators, "more people will come forward without fear."

"For too long, too many people have believed that there’s no point in reporting harassment – that nothing will happen, or worse, that it will negatively impact their career. And on the other side, some people are scared that their reputations will be ruined unfairly.

"Having a consistent and fair process that applies to everyone helps protect against both scenarios and restores a degree of faith in the system. Most of all, it is my hope that this moment will lead to a stronger, more equitable workplace culture that treats women with more respect and affords them more opportunities.

"We have to be vigilant to make sure this happens. I have already heard the rumblings of a backlash: 'This is why you shouldn’t hire women.' Actually, this is why you should.

"And you shouldn’t just hire women – you should mentor, advise, and promote them."

She says men are feeling afraid to be alone with female colleagues at the moment.

"The percentage of men who will be afraid to be alone with a female colleague has to be sky high right now. Doing right by women in the workplace does not just mean treating them with respect. It also means not isolating or ignoring them – and making access equal. Whether that means you take all your direct reports out to dinner or none of them, the key is to give men and women equal opportunities to succeed.

"This is a critical moment to remind ourselves how important this is. So much good is happening to fix workplaces right now. Let’s make sure it does not have the unintended consequence of holding women back."

She ends by saying that women having more power in workplaces will go some way to improving the situation.

"The world has always been run by men, and it still is today," she said.

"It wouldn’t solve all the problems we face if more women were in power – although I believe we could get quite a lot of good done. But one thing’s for certain: many fewer people would be groped and worse while trying to do their jobs.